makeupxsamara

No filters, no edits, just a gorgeous natural glow

5.0

Verified reviews from real couples

Samara is truly (and literally) an artist! She is super communicative and clear with expectations. She is able to provide recommendations and is very low pressure. I had never had professional makeup done before and made me feel at ease through the entire process. She also did makeup for my 10 year old step-daughter and also made sure it was age appropriate and listened to all of her feedback. My wedding day was also VERY warm, and my makeup held for the entire outdoor ceremony and reception, never looking cakey or oily.

Allison W.

5.0

Samara and her makeup assistant Katie made my mom, my bridesmaids, and me feel beautiful from the inside out! They were both so kind and did a wonderful job making us glow while still looking like ourselves. I was nervous about professional makeup, but with Samara, I had no reason to be! She is incredibly talented and will make you feel like the most gorgeous version of yourself.

Danielle H.

5.0

Samara Perchick

OWNER

AWARD WINNER (2X)

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

makeupxsamara is a wedding beauty service based in Raleigh, NC. What is a natural glow, you might ask? After looking through the images on this page, you might notice a theme of natural, radiant, glowy, never cakey makeup. And that's not a coincidence. After 7 years in the industry, owner Samara Perchick has become known for her effortless, soft-glam style that is recognizable and sought after throughout the Triangle. Her main goal is for clients to look in the mirror, recognize their reflection, and feel like an elevated but natural, glowy version of themselves. Another thing that sets my business apart from others you might encounter is that I never edit or use filters on any pictures of myself or my clients. I don't judge those who do, but I don't believe in false advertising. Our unique differences make us beautiful, and my goal is to enhance your unique beauty.

Woman-owned Business

5+ years in business

Speaks English

Small team (2-10 members)

Details

Beauty

Makeup

Eyelash Extensions

Makeup Artists

Makeup Trials Available

Awards and Affiliations

2-Time 'Best of Weddings'

2025.2024.

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Samara Perchick

Owner

Hi! I'm Samara and I'm so excited you're here! A little background on me: I have my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree and take color matching VERY seriously. Everything else, not so much. I'm a lover of Bravo, the beach, local news (my last name is a hint), and a skincare and makeup product junkie.

5.0

out of 5.0

43 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Samara is a highly skilled, professional makeup artist praised for natural, glowing bridal looks that last all day. Reviewers highlight her clear, responsive communication, personalized trials, and patient teaching. Clients praise her calming, joyful presence and strongly recommend her services.

Search reviews

Emma B

Highlighted review.

2/20/2025

She has been so communicative and quick to respond. She was able to answer all of my questions and made the booking process super easy! Such a sweet person!

Allison W

1/31/2026

Samara is truly (and literally) an artist! She is super communicative and clear with expectations. She is able to provide recommendations and is very low pressure. I had never had ...

professional makeup done before and made me feel at ease through the entire process. She also did makeup for my 10 year old step-daughter and also made sure it was age appropriate and listened to all of her feedback. My wedding day was also VERY warm, and my makeup held for the entire outdoor ceremony and reception, never looking cakey or oily.

Any questions?

Danielle H

10/31/2025

Samara and her makeup assistant Katie made my mom, my bridesmaids, and me feel beautiful from the inside out! They were both so kind and did a wonderful job making us glow while st...

ill looking like ourselves. I was nervous about professional makeup, but with Samara, I had no reason to be! She is incredibly talented and will make you feel like the most gorgeous version of yourself.

Margaret E

1/27/2025

Samara's professionalism and exceptional talent made planning my wedding makeup a breeze. The trial went perfectly, helping me find a 'glam' level that felt right for me as a makeu...

p minimalist. Working with her was delightful, and I was thrilled with the results on my wedding day. She made me feel confident and radiant, extending the same magic to my bridal party by tailoring her approach to each person's skin type and concerns. Samara's expertise is unparalleled, and I'm incredibly grateful for her care and consideration. Don't miss the chance to work with her!

Kelly K

1/12/2025

Really enjoyed how personalized Sam's Natural Glow techniques are to each person's needs - she's so skilled and incredibly patient - it was a wonderful experience and I felt natura...

lly beautiful!!!

Analisa S

11/11/2024

Hiring Samara to provide makeup services for me and my wedding party was one of the best decisions I made! From the beginning, Samara was fast and transparent in all her communicat...

ions, making it really easy to coordinate the details and feel confident about booking with her. Leading up to the big day, Samara was flexible with changes to the final schedule, and we did a trial together where she walked me through different options and took detailed notes on what I wanted for my wedding day. All of this prep made the wedding day a breeze -- Samara stayed ahead of schedule and made everyone in her chair feel so comfortable. I had people in my wedding party who are used to wearing very little makeup, and Samara worked with each of them to make sure they loved the finished look. I was so happy with how everyone’s makeup turned out and highly recommend working with Samara for all your future wedding needs!

Kirstin M

11/07/2024

Samara did an absolutely beautiful job with wedding day makeup for me, my sister, my mom, and my now mother-in-law. I was nervous about having someone do my makeup because of previ...

ous bad experiences, but Samara made me feel like the most beautiful version of myself!!! I ended up with a smooth complexion, natural skin tone, and subtle enhancements of my features. I didn’t feel like I was overdone, but there was enough to last through many, many, many happy tears. As an additional bonus, I didn’t end up with a huge breakout the next day (an issue with other times I’ve had my makeup done)! I was also impressed by Samara’s work with my mom, who almost never wears makeup. She added the perfect touches to make my mom look simultaneously glamorous and like herself. With a talented eye for color matching and a warm personality that puts those in her chair at ease, Samara is truly gifted at what she does and I highly recommend her!

Carly P

10/21/2024

Samara and Genevieve were the best possible glam squad a bride could ask for. As someone who doesn’t typically wear a lot of makeup, it was very anxiety inducing to give over contr...

ol to someone on such an important day but Samara made me feel so comfortable every step of the way, truly listened to my goal of natural glow, and the end result was nothing short of perfection. Natural but elevated and accentuated my features in the best way. I felt like the most beautiful version of myself, all thanks to her. Such a joy to work with and extremely talented in her craft.

Claire R

10/01/2024

Loved working with Samara! She is so professional and helped me look polished but not overdone. My makeup stayed all day and I could not have been happier! High recommend!

Pam G

9/21/2024

From the moment my daughter and I met Samara, she immediately put us to ease and made us look and feel our best! Makeup was on point!!

Claire M

9/06/2024

I absolutely recommend makeupxsamara! She made my bridal party feel comfortable and relaxed, and exceeded what I had envisioned as a bride! My bridal glam made me feel like an el...

evated version of myself - natural and elegant. Thank you, Samara!

olivia p

6/02/2024

I lovedddd my experience with Samara and her team. She listened to exactly what I wanted as far as doing a very natural glowy look for my wedding day and she nailed it! She asked f...

or feedback after every step which made me feel so comfortable and confident. I didn't do a trial because I was coming in from out of town yet she still made sure we were on the same page the whole time.

Jordan F

5/24/2024

I decided to try the Natural Glow Academy with Samara because I have never known how to do my makeup and I decided it was time to learn. I’m so glad I did! I thought it would be ov...

erwhelming but Samara is a great teacher and it really stuck. She showed me her techniques on one side of my face and then I did the other side. The makeup looked beautiful and natural. The next day, she sent a detailed step by step guide with links to the products she recommends. The entire process was so easy and I love finally being confident in my makeup abilities!

Jen S

5/15/2024

Samara did such a great job on my make up for our engagement photos. She is professional and personable. She made it a fun experience and I felt like she took the time to make ever...

ything exactly how she wanted it to come out. I would highly recommend and can’t wait for another event so I can reach out and go back!!

Temple M

5/08/2024

I had such an amazing experience with Samara- first her skill is phenomenal. I was a 42 year old bride and felt gorgeous, dewy, glowing and natural. She put me and my bridal party ...

at ease and was able to make my friends who wanted more glam to have that, and those wanting lighter touch to have that. She also has an amazing personality and spirit so it added to the joy of the day. She was great with communication and helped me buy the lipstick we were using so I would have it all night. I had a prior makeup trial with another artist that left me worried. With Samara, I was 100% confident that my friends and I would look amazing. And we did. So glad I found her! You should book her asap!

Lauri H

5/05/2024

Samara is simply wonderful to work with. As the mother of the bride, I wanted to look great but not "overdone". Samara listened and understood the look I wanted. My face felt na...

tural, light and I loved the finished result. And it stayed fresh looking throughout the evening! I couldn't have been more pleased. Thanks, Samara, for your talent and making this special event oh so much better!!

Haines J

5/05/2024

Samara did my Makeup for a branding photoshoot for my business and it turned out so well. She perfectly accentuated my best features while ensuring I actually look like myself :) I...

wanted clients to recognize me in person and be able to see what I look like in photos online. And it all turned out beautifully!

Jessica M

4/18/2024

My experience with Samara was outstanding! The attention to detail and skillful application left me feeling absolutely stunning on my wedding day. Her upbeat attitude and professi...

onalism made the entire process a joy. I highly recommend Samara for anyone seeking flawless makeup for their special day.

Grace A

4/02/2024

Working with Samara was amazing from start to finish. She was responsive, answered all of my questions, made me feel comfortable in her chair and my make up was amazing. I usually ...

am nervous about having my makeup done and not liking the final look, but Samara did a step by step check in to make sure I was happy. I looked natural, glowy, and my makeup lasted forever. She even let me take pictures of everything she used that I loved so I can buy them to use at home. I highly recommend Samara for makeup for any occasion! I will definitely be using her again in the future.

Angie C

4/01/2024

Samara not only did a great job with my make up, but she took the time to ensure my understanding of the products and application techniques so I could create the look myself. In a...

ddition to being highly skilled, she’s patient, kind, and funny! A real joy to be around. Highly recommend for wedding, event, or private lesson!

Tina R

3/27/2024

Samara’s Natural Glow Academy Masterclass (3/13/24) was lots of fun & so informative! I loved that she targeted the ideas & suggestions toward our age group. She is very knowledge...

able!

Susan R

3/21/2024

I attended her Masterclass demo & was very impressed w/the knowledge Samara shared to improve my appearance & enhance my features. She clearly explained why she used various produ...

cts but doesn't sell or push any of them. I like that during a class she'll do half of the client's face & let them do the other half.

Nancy P

2/06/2024

I recently had the pleasure of working with Samara and I couldn't be happier with the results. From the moment I walked into her studio, I was greeted with warmth and professionali...

sm. What truly sets Samara apart is her expertise in creating natural looks that enhance one's features without feeling overdone. I was amazed at how she effortlessly transformed my appearance while still maintaining my desired natural aesthetic. Not only did she work her magic with brushes and palettes, but Samara also took the time to educate me on various techniques and skincare routines that would complement my look. She shared invaluable tips and tricks that I can now incorporate into my daily routine with confidence. One of the highlights of my experience was how Samara seamlessly incorporated both her own products and some of my favorite items from my own collection. This personalized approach not only made me feel comfortable but also ensured that the final look was tailored to my preferences. Samara recommended some fantastic products that have since become staples in my beauty regimen. Her knowledge of different brands and formulations was truly impressive, and I left feeling empowered with a newfound understanding of makeup application and product selection. Overall, I cannot recommend Samara highly enough. Whether you're looking for a natural makeover, expert advice, or simply a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, she delivers on all fronts. I left her studio feeling radiant, confident, and inspired to experiment further with my makeup routine. Thank you, Samara, for such a wonderful experience!

Christina S

1/20/2024

Samara is amazing, truly incredible. As an artist, Samara is unmatched. Her natural glow look is perfect; I've never felt more beautiful and more confident, and more like myself. A...

s a professional, Samara is organized, flexible, and so easy to work with. As a person, she was an amazing wedding day hang - so much fun and great, calm energy. Can't recommend her more!!

Lindsay G

1/10/2024

I would recommend Samara to anyone. I reached out to her because now that I’m approaching 40, my skin feels different and I need a new approach to makeup. She taught me SO much abo...

ut makeup application and products. I usually shy away from wearing much, because I appreciate a natural look. She helped me create a look/routine that looks so natural and beautiful. I’ve always struggled with dark circles under my eyes and she was able to show me how to fix them without it looking like I caked on concealer. I find choosing makeup colors so daunting, and she was able to match me perfectly. I also appreciated that she wasn’t tied to one brand or price point. She made flexible recommendations across the board but didn’t try to push or sell me anything. After the lesson she sent me a comprehensive follow-up instruction sheet with what products we used and linked everything. This probably took her hours to put together. She was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Worth every penny!

Ashley Y

1/03/2024

Samara is magic! She does beautiful makeup that truly feels like a beautiful version of yourself. Your groom and guests will recognize you and just think you are a glowing gorgeo...

us bride. 100% she is the best.

Catherine C

1/02/2024

Samara was very professional. Communication was easy. She suggested products that i now use daily and made sure i was comfortable applying on my own. She promptly answered my fo...

llow up questions. The whole experience was fabulous!

Emma V

12/17/2023

Samara is incredible! She listened to my makeup needs and made helpful adjustments that are easy to maintain. I've already implemented the lesson into my makeup routine and love it...

Julanny A

11/23/2023

Samara is a thorough makeup artist that will ask the most poignant questions to ensure she delivers your winning look. Clear and timely communication throughout the whole process. ...

She’s so invested in you looking and feeling like yourself and your best - she’ll start light and take it up as many notches as you feel comfortable with. I LOVE that - I wanted to look as natural as possible on my wedding day - allowing my moles to shine through and she delivered. She’s an artist, but most importantly, she’s a genuine good soul. Such great energy to be around especially on a day in which you want to have positivity engulf you. I’d hire her for any of my makeup needs!

Olivia F

10/31/2023

I have to be honest, I thought about doing my own makeup for my wedding because I have had so many bad experiences with MUA's at weddings I have been in. I was very skeptical but t...

hank goodness I took a chance on Samara because she is the absolute BEST! She was very responsive and accommodating when it came to scheduling my trial and preparing for my wedding day. She also had great recommendations for skin prep, nails, etc leading up to the wedding day. I knew I wanted a more natural look and she did just that. It lasted ALL night! I have never felt more confident and beautiful than I did on my wedding day. So, if you are considering Samara as your MUA, don't think anymore, just do it! <3

Taylor A

10/27/2023

Samara made me feel absolutely gorgeous on my wedding day! Her natural make up style made me look like myself, but more glam, which was just what I wanted. I didn't even feel like ...

I was wearing make up, and it lasted the whole day! Samara is great to work with; she is responsive to client inquiries, and works with your schedule to make your wedding day look a reality. I enjoyed my make up trial session; she explained exactly what products she was using, and their purposes. Her skill, expertise, responsiveness, and organization are well worth the value!

Allison R

10/26/2023

This was the first time I've had my makeup done where I truly felt like the best version of myself. Samara was on time, great with communication & came fully prepared. She was frie...

ndly and asked my input during the makeup session and I was so pleased with the results. I've used other makeup artists who glued my eyelashes on crooked or gave me uneven eyeliner and Samara truly made ZERO mistakes. I only wish I knew her sooner!! She will be my go to makeup artist for events going forward.

Jessica B

10/16/2023

I couldn’t say enough good things about my experience with Samara. She is incredibly personable and just a joy to be around - from the pre-wedding trial to the 5:30am getting ready...

time on my wedding day, she was an excellent communicator and responsive to all of the questions/comments/concerns that my bridal party and I had for her. I’d recommend Samara to every Bride-to-Be wanting to feel pampered and to look like the best version of herself on her wedding day. I can honestly say that I’ve NEVER felt more beautiful in my life than I did on my wedding day! And, most importantly, I still looked like myself! Samara enhances your natural beauty without covering you up in cakey make up like I’ve seen MUAs do to other brides at other weddings to the point where the Bride looked like a completely different person. Myself and every lady in my wedding party were truly glowing, with our best features enhanced- looking like beautifully elevated versions of ourselves. On the morning of the wedding, Samara showed up early with a friendly and equally talented MUA friend (Genevieve) to help get all 8 women in my bridal party looking glowing, flawless, and beautiful in time for my 10am wedding! Samara and Genevieve were so kind and professional, working in a cramped hotel room with 8 clients, 1 photographer, 1 hair stylist, and my father + others constantly churning in to ask me questions while we were getting ready. She even expertly and politely handled my pushy relatives while she was putting false lashes on me with surgical precision!! So STOP your search NOW and go with Samara. You’ll be so glad you did! 💕

Michelle T

9/19/2023

My daughter and I absolutely loved working with Samara for our event. From the trial run to the big day, and the communication in between, Samara was extremely organized and profes...

sional. Neither of us normally wears a lot of makeup and Samara did a fabulous job putting us at ease and really listening to what we wanted. We were thrilled with the end result, which looked amazing both in person and in photos. On top of that, Samara is an absolute joy of a person and we loved spending time with her. We can't recommend her enough!

Lauren P

5/22/2023

Samara was amazing to work with! Our wedding group was made up of many women, with different styles, some of who are not used to wearing much, if any, makeup. Also we had no trial ...

run before the wedding, as we were all from out of town. She did an amazing job—she came to the house, brought her own lights and chair, and was able to stay on schedule with the large group, while also sneaking in lashes for my mom and touch ups for my groom. As a person who is not used to wearing makeup, the end result looked and felt very beautiful and natural. I would love to have another reason to use Samara's services again and I would highly recommend her for your next event, big or small.

Anna C

5/17/2023

Samara was absolutely amazing to work with! I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone looking for a natural but flawless look for a wedding, photoshoot or special event. She is not only hi...

ghly skilled, but she is also a beautiful person inside and out. As someone who does not wear much makeup in my daily life, I was nervous about wearing a full face for my wedding. Samara was not only sweet and supportive but she made sure that I got exactly what I wanted and that I felt comfortable and happy. The result was a look that translated beautifully to photos while also allowing me feel like myself in real life. I did a trial and day-of makeup, which I highly recommend as the trial went a long way to give me confidence throughout the process so that I could relax and enjoy the big day. If you're on the fence, just do it. Samara is the best!

Lisa M

5/12/2023

Samara truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked into the studio, she made me feel welcome and comfortable. Her friendly demeanor helped put me at ease and allowed ...

me to enjoy my experience. Not only was she friendly, she was incredibly professional. Her attention to detail was impressive and she made sure that every aspect of my make was flawless. Over all, I would highly recommend Samara if you are looking for someone friendly, professional and knowledgeable. She truly went above and beyond to ensure I was happy with my look and I couldn't be more grateful for her expertise and talent.

Kim P

5/03/2023

When I decided to walk down the aisle a second time, my priority was finding the right person to help my daughter and me look our best on our big day. I was so fortunate to have fo...

und Samara! Samara came highly recommended by a friend, and I couldn't have been happier with our experience. As an older bride, I was worried about looking overdone, but Samara's expertise put me at ease, and once she worked her magic, I truly felt like a glowing bride! We had many compliments on our makeup that day – and I was so pleased to see how fabulous we looked in our photographs. Samara puts the “artist” in makeup artist – she has an eye for accentuating your best features and making you feel like a million bucks.

Jennifer O

4/19/2023

Everything about Samara is unique, beautiful and positive! I had the pleasure of a 1:1 makeup educational session. It has changed my skin and entire daily look! I'm amazed at her d...

etail and knowledge to highlight your natural look. She also works with what is in your makeup bag. Samara is a gem! Jennifer O

Cathy R

4/15/2023

Glowing to the Chapel and I wouldn't have done it without Samara glamming me! I wish she could do it every day. She knocked it out of the park for me, my mom and my sister in laws....

We had the most natural glow-y looks and I can't wait to see the pics. Samara is a GEM and I highly recommend her.

Jennie H

1/12/2023

I did a makeup lessons with Samara and it was so much fun! She is very knowledgeable and skilled. I felt like I still looked like myself, just a polished glowy version! I highly re...

commend

Lili B

12/12/2022

I had a great experience working with Samara. She did a fantastic job and the pictures turned out great! Highly recommend usingher!

Andie D

10/31/2022

Samara was the makeup artist for a bridal party I was in, and she was the absolute best! Not only was she great on timing (for 7 ladies!), I had my makeup done at 9AM and it lasted...

all day and night with no touch ups! Samara even went out of her way to look at everyone’s dresses to make sure she chose complementing colors with our makeup - her attention to detail did not go unnoticed! Thank you, Samara, for allowing me to feel beautiful on such an important day for our family. I will absolutely recommend her to any bride for their wedding day!

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makeupxsamara

Samara Perchick

Owner

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makeupxsamara

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